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White House divided over how to ‘deal’ with Pakistan: report

Washington: The White House is ‘divided’ over how to deal with Pakistan, as some of the officials in the Trump administration are in favour of a hard line approach however others fear that they might alienate a nuclear power, read a report in the Foreign Policy Magazine.

The divide is reflected in recent statements by US officials who continue to urge Pakistan to do more for eliminating terrorism but also acknowledge that Pakistan has taken “some positive steps in the right direction”.

According to the report, the hardliners argue that years of aid and accommodation with Pakistan “have produced little in return” and now is the time for some “punitive actions”.

Those urging caution point out that Pakistan is not only a nuclear nation but also has a strategic location — “borders China” — and that’s why it would be a mistake to alienate it.

But some in the administration believe that recent punitive actions — such as the suspension of security aid — have had a positive impact on Pakistan and urge the Trump administration to keep up the pressure.

“We’ve certainly seen Pakistan take some positive steps in the right direction,” State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said at a recent news briefing.

 

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